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WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE ?

Child sexual abuse includes a wide range of unwanted sexual behavior that takes place between a child and an adult. These behaviors are meant to arouse the adult and in most cases the abuser does not care about the child's feelings, reactions, or unwillingness. Child sexual abuse often involves body contact but is not limited to it. Other forms of sexual abuse include child pornography, exploitation, and indecent exposure.

Touching sexual offenses include: 

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  • Fondling

  • Making a child touch an adult’s sexual organs; and

  • Penetrating a child’s vagina or anus no matter how slight with a penis or any object that doesn’t have a valid medical purpose.

Non-touching sexual offenses include: 

  • Engaging in indecent exposure or exhibitionism

  • Forcing children to watch pornographic material

  • Deliberately exposing a child to the act of sexual intercourse

  • Masturbating in front of a child; and

  • Verbal pressure for sex.

Sexual exploitation can include:

  • Engaging a child or soliciting a child for the purposes of prostitution and

  • Using a child to film, photograph, or model pornography.

TOUCHING SEXUAL OFFENSES INCLUDE:\

  • Fondling

  • Making a child touch an adult’s sexual organs 

  • Penetrating a child’s vagina or anus, no matter how slight, with a penis or any object that does not have a valid medical purpose.

NON-TOUCHING SEXUAL OFFENSES INCLUDE:

  • Engaging in indecent exposure or exhibitionism

  • Forcing children to watch pornographic material

  • Deliberately exposing a child to the act of sexual intercourse

  • Masturbating in front of a child

  • Verbal pressure for sex.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CAN INCLUDE: 

  • Engaging a child or soliciting a child for the purposes of prostitution 

  • Using a child to film, photograph, or model pornography.

what is sexual abuse
WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ?

Children and adolescents, regardless of their race, culture, or economic status, appear to be at approximately equal risk for sexual victimization.  Statistics show that girls are sexually abused more often than boys. However, boys' and later, mens', tendency to not report their victimization may affect these statistics.

IN THE USA

In our country, researchers have estimated that one in six boys and one in four girls have been sexually abused.

 

WARNING SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE 

The effects of sexual abuse trauma may manifest in a wide range of signs and behavior and every child deals with it differently.  In general, there are some physical and behavioral signs of sexual abuse which include:

BEHAVIORAL SIGNS:

  • Reports sexual abuse

  • Inappropriate sexual knowledge

  • Fear of people of a specific type or gender

  • Inappropriate sexual behavior

  • Nightmares or bed-wetting

  • Large weight changes/major changes in appetite

  • Suicide attempts or self-harming, especially in adolescents

  • Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact

  • Runs away

  • Overly protective and concerned for siblings, assumes a caretaker role

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Rape Trauma Syndrome symptoms 

PHYSICAL SIGNS:

  • Difficulty walking or sitting

  • Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes

  • Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area

  • ​Pain, itching, or burning in genital area

  • Frequent urinary or yeast infections

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections, especially if under 14 years old

  • Pregnancy, especially if under 14 years old

WHO COMMITS ACTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ?

Sexual offenders can be strangers or people you see on a daily basis.  Sometimes, sexual abusers can be family members or other people close to you such as a sports coach, babysitter, teacher, neighbor, parent, aunt, or uncle. Sexual abuse by strangers is not nearly as common as sexual abuse by family members. Sexual abuse is committed by men as well as women. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT SEXUAL ABUSE 

  • Provide a safe environment (be comforting, welcoming, and a good listener)

  • Tell the child it was not his/her fault

  • Listen carefully

  • Document the child’s exact quotes

  • Be supportive, not judgmental 

  • Seek mental health assistance who can arrange for a medical examination for the child.

    A list of organizations that can help can be found here
    https://ohl.rainn.org/online/ 
    www.childhelp.org

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